This PPT is prepared for classroom presentations of MA Semester 2, presented at the Department of English, MKBU. This presentation contains the discussion on a comparative study of Bharata's Natyashastra and Aristotle's Poetics.

1. A Comparative Study of Bharata's
Natyashastra and Aristotle’s
Poetics

2. Prepared by Trushali Dodiya
Roll no:- 19
Enrollment no:- 4069206420220011
Sem:- 2(M. A.) Batch:- 2022-24
Paper no. :-109 Paper Code:- 22402
Paper name:- Literary Theory & Criticism and Indian
Aesthetics
Submitted to:- Smt. S. B. Gardi Department of English,
MKBU
Dated on:- 14/03/2023
Email:- trushalidodiya84@gmail.com

3. ❖ Introduction
❖ ‘Natyashastra’ by Bharata Muni and ‘The
Poetics’ by Aristotle
❖ Comparative Study
❖ Rasa Theory and Catharsis
❖ Response generated by ChatGPT
❖ Conclusion
Table of
Content

4. ● Indian Literary criticism has always been rich in
its tradition- Natyashastra as one of the
examples
● “Natya” means play or drama- Theatrical Art
● Bharata Muni- The Father of Indian Performative
art- in ‘Natyashastra’ explores the fields related
to the performing art in ‘Natyashastra’(Bharata)
● Aristotle, a Greek Philosopher also tries to
explore his ideas related to play in his work ‘The
Poetics’ around 335 BC.(Aristotle)
Introduction

5. ● Principal work of
Performance art theory,
encompassing dance and
music
● 37 Adhyayas(Bharata)
● Classical Indian concept of
the drama, including dance,
music, poetics, and general
aesthetics
● Origin of Poetics, Definition
of Drama, Prosody, Rasas,
Bhavas
Natyashastra
● Work of Greek
dramatic theory
● The series of notes
that Aristotle would
have used when he
lectured
● Forms of Poetry -
Comedy, Tragedy
and Epic
The Poetics

6. ● First treatise in Sanskrit
literature (World Literature) on
Drama(Natya)
● Origin of the Dramatic
techniques Deals with the overall
form of Drama- Performative Art
● Anukarana- Imitation
● Harmony
● Rasas(Bharata)
Comparative Study
● First treatise in Greek
literature on Poetics
● Poetics
● Mimesis- Imitation
● Katharsis- Purgation
● Harmony
Natyashastra Poetics
“The most striking similarity in Poetics and Natyashastra is,
when both the authors try to derive the effect of drama on the
audience.”(Sharma)

7. ● In chapter 6 of Natyashastra, Bharata talks
about Rasa theory
● Reader’s total emotional response to the
text-Dominant emotion of the work
● “A work of art is artistic only when it evokes
the experience of Rasa.”(Lal)
● 8 main Rasas
श‍ृङ्गाराद्धि भवेिास्यो रौद्राच्च करुणो रसः ।
वीराच्चैवाद् भुतोत्पत्तिर्बीभत्साच्च भयानकः ॥ ३९॥(Bharata.
Chapter 6)
त्तवभावानुभावव्यत्तभचाररसंयोगाद्ररस त्तनष्पत्ति:।(Bharata. Chapter 6)
● Exposition of same emotion between the Reader
and the Character
● Imitation of the emotion
Rasa Theory and Catharsis

8. ● Aristotle talks about comic and tragic
emotions
● Comedy an imitation of characters of a lower
type…… the comic mask is ugly and distorted,
but does not imply pain.(Aristotle)
● Katharsis- purification or purgation of the
emotions (such as pity and fear) primarily
through art
● "Tragedy is an imitation of an action that is
serious, complete, and of a certain
magnitude……through pity and fear
affecting the proper purgation of these
emotions”.(Aristotle)
Continue..

9. Bharata's Natyashastra and Aristotle's Poetics are two seminal works in the
field of dramatic theory and criticism. Both works were written over two
thousand years ago and are still studied and debated by scholars today.
While the Natyashastra was written in ancient India and Poetics in ancient
Greece, they both offer insights into the nature of drama, the role of the
artist, and the relationship between art and society.
Here are some of the key similarities and differences between the two works:
Similarities:
1. Both works define the purpose of drama as being to imitate human
action.
2. Both works discuss the importance of plot, character, and language in
drama.
3. Both works emphasize the role of the artist in creating and shaping the
drama.
4. Both works touch on the relationship between drama and society.
Response Generated by ChatGPT

10. Differences:
1. The Natyashastra is focused primarily on dance and drama, while Poetics
deals specifically with tragedy.
2. The Natyashastra places a greater emphasis on the spiritual and religious
aspects of drama, while Poetics is more concerned with the aesthetics of
tragedy.
3. The Natyashastra has a more elaborate system for categorizing
characters and emotions, while Poetics focuses more on the cathartic
effect of tragedy.
4. The Natyashastra has a more detailed discussion of the technical aspects
of performance, while Poetics is more focused on the literary and
philosophical aspects of drama.
Despite these differences, both works share a common goal of understanding
and appreciating the power of drama as an art form. They offer insights into
the human condition and the ways in which art can help us to understand
ourselves and our place in the world. As such, they continue to be studied and
debated by scholars and artists alike, and remain important works in the field
of dramatic theory and criticism. (https://chat.openai.com , Prompt: Can you elaborate “A
Comparative Study of Bharata's Natyashastra Aristotle’s Poetics”)

11. ● Lots of similarities as well as differences
● Bharata’s Natyashastra remains rich in overall
performative art, whereas Aristotle gives keen
observation to Imitation and Tragedy
● Main goal - Understanding and appreciation of
performative art
Conclusion

12. Work Cited
Aristotle. Poetics. Translated by S. H. Butcher, ReadHowYouWant.com, Limited, 2006.
Bharata. “Natyashastra.” Sanskrit Documents,
https://sanskritdocuments.org/sanskrit/natyashastra/. Accessed 13 March 2023.
Bharata. “Natyashastra Chapter 6.” Sanskrit Documents,
https://sanskritdocuments.org/doc_z_misc_major_works/natya06.html. Accessed 14
March 2023.
Lal, Vinay, and Edward C. Dimock. “Indian Poetics and Western Literary Criticism.” Indian
Literature, vol. 35, no. 1 (147), 1992, pp. 101–07. JSTOR,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/44292333. Accessed 13 Mar. 2023.
Sharma, Sapna. “Feelings 'N Fiction: An Analysis Of Aristotle's Poetics And Bharat Muni's
Natyasastra With Special Focus On Impact On Audi.” International Journal Of
Research Culture Society (IJRCS), 31 May 2020, https://ijrcs.org/wp-
content/uploads/IJRCS202005025.pdf. Accessed 14 March 2023.